







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Hmm, I guess it's a bit old, but it's still my favourite. | |
| How is your cat? | |
| Do you live in this house, too? | |
| It's like there's evil hidden inside them! | |
| Hello my friend, how are you? | |
| Well, instead of chicken you can try the duck, it's yummy! | |
| No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | |
| Maybe we can get something on the way to the station. | |
| It's impossible for me to commute from zone-9 to 1 everyday. | |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | |
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | |
| Is it because of the cost, or another reason? | |
| It sounds important. | |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | |
| But sometimes I feel guilty not being there! | |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | |
| Okay, the total is £36.74, sir. | |
| What line is it on? | |